KHARTOUM: Sudan vowed yesterday to stand firm on fuel price hikes, despite days of deadly protests and criticism from war veterans, hardline Islamic leaders and from within the ruling party itself.
Authorities say 33 people have died since petrol and diesel prices jumped last Monday, sparking the worst protests in the history of President Omar Hassan Al Bashir’s two-decade reign.
Activists and international human rights groups say at least 50 people were gunned down, most of them in the greater Khartoum area.
The real toll is difficult to determine but “could be as much as 200,” a foreign diplomat said on condition of anonymity.
Information Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman said there was no going back on the fuel price increases.
“This is the only way out,” he said in a telephone interview, adding that the government knew “riots” would occur but could not sustain the cost of billions of dollars in subsidies.
“Our economy cannot tolerate such support,” he said. “We have to carry on. We know it is a bit heavy for the people.”
Sudan’s most popular newspaper, which criticised the decision to cut subsidies, meanwhile said it had been ordered to stop publishing.
Al Intibaha is run by Bashir’s uncle, Al Tayeb Mustafa, who said that state security agents gave no reason for the suspension.
AFP
